Lauren Manoogian is a true fashion pioneer. Her accessories and ready-to-wear line is wholly organic. She sources materials for jewelry from scrap metal and electronics surplus warehouses and finds inspiration almost everywhere, from Native American textiles to landscape art. With a training background in knitting, Lauren launched her line with a collection of brightly colored necklaces made of paper clips and painted leather bracelets. For the fall season, she has embraced her talent for making knitwear by debuting a line of scarves and tops. Meanwhile, her jewelry pieces are made of only three colors, which is a vast departure from previous collections. "I was really attracted to a more austere palette and materials that had a more industrial edge to them," she says. "It was an exciting challenge, like a clean slate."

We get a look into the Lauren's studio space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and a taste of what is on the horizon for this inspired designer.

Designer Space: Lauren Manoogian

Designer Space: Lauren Manoogian

"I am always really inspired by non-Western concepts of dress and form. It seems to give priority to the cloth, which I relate to. I get obsessed with certain artists, usually sculptors. Right now I am very into these early Lynda Bengalis pieces that are all dirtily sparkly. I always look to Richard Tuttle, Ron Nagle's ceramics for color and texture, and West African textiles."